Parent Child Center Of Tulsa Works To Prevent Children Dying In Hot Cars

Cars can become a death trap in a matter of minutes when the temperature is in the 70s or higher.

The Parent Child Center of Tulsa has started promoting the "Baby in Back" initiative to remind people about the dangers of leaving children in cars.

Meg Ritzky is a first-time mom to her daughter, Max, and said she's happy to spread awareness about this initiative, because having a hectic day could turn into a tragedy.

"My schedule with her changes a lot so there's some days I have her and somedays I don't have her and that can be why you forget sometimes," Ritzky said.

Oklahoma is ranked number one for having the most children die in hot cars. The Parent Child Center said 100 percent of these deaths are preventable.

"We have a hang tag they can hang on their rear-view mirror and information card they can place on the front seat. All of that is designed as a reminder to parents that they do have a child in the back seat," Kane said.

Cheryl Kane said putting personal items like a purse or phone in the back seat is a visual reminder to take a look as you get out of your car.

"They get out of the car and realize they don't have it and that way they have to look in the back seat," Kane said.

She said even taking a shoe off and putting it in the back seat can be an easy reminder. "They can put something on the front seat like a stuffed animal," Kane said.

Ritzky said she never wants to have anything bad happen so taking those extra steps is well worth it.

"It's just such a huge mistake that can be awful, but something that can happen to anybody. So, having just a little extra reminder is just a little extra security," Ritzky said.

You can join the "Baby in Back" initiative by going to the Parent Child Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.